The global forum for water, World Water Week, is annually organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute. This year’s theme, “Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World,” underscores innovation in tackling current water challenges. In accordance, Jal Jeevan Mission, initiated in 2019, is purposed to deliver safe and ample drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to every household in rural India. This bold initiative hopes to learn from past programs’ shortcomings and correct their failures.
Historical Attempts and Shortcomings in Rural Water Supply
From the 1950s to the 60s, supplying basic water to rural areas was a priority, but it only focused on easily accessible villages. The National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme in 1969 led to the digging of borewells and piped water connections with UNICEF’s help, but coverage stayed uneven. Several initiatives faced challenges with implementation and coverage. According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), existing schemes could only cover about 50% of the target habitations between 2002 and 2007. While the Har Ghar Jal program launched in 2017 aimed to provide piped water supply, only 20% of rural households had access to piped water by April 1, 2018.
Main Issues with Previous Schemes
Previous schemes relied heavily on groundwater, leading to depletion. A lack of community ownership resulted in poor maintenance and defunct infrastructure. Public awareness was not sufficiently encouraged, hindering progress, and there were inefficiencies in fund allocation and utilization despite substantial investments.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Learnings from the Past
The Jal Jeevan Mission focuses on tapping into surface water and groundwater and emphasizes community engagement and information sharing. It includes disaster preparedness, bulk water transfers, technological interventions, and greywater management.
Present Status of the Jal Jeevan Mission
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. As of January 3, 2023, access to tapped water connections had risen to 56.14%, equivalent to 108.7 million households. However, the mission still has to extend its coverage to an additional 76.3 million rural households within the upcoming two years.
Current Challenges Related to Water Resource Management in India
Groundwater depletion due to rapid urbanization is a significant issue. Interstate conflicts over water-sharing agreements highlight tensions between state autonomy and national interest. Beyond quantity, water quality is a severe problem due to contamination from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sanitation. In many rural areas, women bear the responsibility of fetching water, limiting their opportunities and putting them at risk. Climate change also leads to the receding of Himalayan glaciers, leading to potential water shortages. Furthermore, India’s inefficient wastewater management hampers the country’s ability to make optimal use of water resources.
Way Forward
The Jal Jeevan Mission should emphasize both supply management and sustainability of water resources. Implementing a water footprint labeling system for products can raise consumer awareness about the water used in producing goods. Additionally, integrating water and energy management strategies can optimize resource use. It is essential to implement hydro-responsive urban planning and effective local water resource management plans and make rainwater harvesting mandatory for all households.
